Faith Without Works Is Dead

"Increased faith is as vital and necessary today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Our modern world struggles with insufficient faith. President Gordon B. Hinckley said in a conference talk: “This is my prayer for all of us. … Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. … Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. … Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequences follow."

--James O. Mason, "Faith in Jesus Christ", April 2001 Ensign pg 22

When I think about this statement, I'm called to remember the word ACTION. It is not enough to have faith w/o any action. That is insufficient faith. Faith without works is dead. I have faith that our family can be prepared for the reintegration of Daddy back into our daily lives, but I must do more than just hope for it. I must pray for it. I must read my scriptures in order to remain close to the Spirit. Inviting the Spirit into our lives and home will help guide us as we try to be a family again.

"Remember that ofttimes the wisdom of God appears as foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Constant Truths for Changing Times", Ensign, May 2005, 19

"Our Heavenly Father loves each one of us and understands that this process of climbing higher takes preparation, time, and commitment. He understands that we will make mistakes at times, that we will stumble, that we will become discouraged and perhaps even wish to give up and say to ourselves it is not worth the struggle. We know it is worth the effort, for the prize, which is eternal life, is “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” And to qualify, we must take one step after another and keep going to gain the spiritual heights we aspire to reach."

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>--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "One Step after Another", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 25

Advice from Elder Busche

Blessings that come through Temple Attendance

I had the chance to go to the Baton Rouge temple this weekend bc of a kind sister in our ward. She drove down with me and watched my kids while I went in to do a couple sessions. And she was there in between the sessions so I could nurse Connor. KJ had so much fun bc they went to this sister's son's house who had a son KJ's age. They played and got along so well that I was invited to use them any time I wanted to come down to go to the temple and needed a babysitter. :-) I've been thinking a lot of this visit to the temple and I found this quote that seems to sum up what I took from this visit.

The temple is a house of prayer. We may receive answers to our heart-felt questions if we go to the temple with a sincere desire to obtain them. There, the Holy Ghost may grant us added light and knowledge and the privilege of receiving the answers to the problems and trials the world presents.

Harold Glen Clark, “Four Blessings of the Temple,” Ensign, Oct 1983, 68